Bye bye BBM, welcome Yoke!

I recently got introduced to this new app that made me want to change my Blackberry into an iPhone right away. The reason why I didn't change to iPhone faster was the BBM which I had all my contacts on & which is more private than the Whatsapp that gets me unnecessary messages from weirdos who happen to have my number. Even if we worked together a year ago and u accidentally got my number it doesn't mean you can Whatsapp me at 11pm.. Ok rage over now!

So, this new app actually has the privacy of the BBM (yay) but the social aspect of Whatsapp. Can we get a Hallelujah! So no more freaks automatically added to your friends list.. So long freaky computer guy who fixed my computer once... Why do you still have my number anyways :s

However, some features are missing which is OK by the way as the guys behind the app worked on adding even more features that would make the non existing ones look sooooo silly.

A really amazing feature that distinguishes this app is the ability to edit and DELETE already sent messages. ( if the message has been deleted then the recipient of that message will get "this message has been deleted" in light grey, edited messages will have a little pencil next to them) now I know aloooot of people who would have real fun with this feature ;) no more drunk messaging girls, or better yet.. You can always delete that message you know u sent by mistake ;)

The confusion between messages delivered and messages read is gone. In Yoke messenger you'll have the sent, delivered and read time of every message sent to avoid confusion. So only thing missing is location of reading that message. (That would be parents expose' at it's best) 

Mom: "Where are you?" Message delivered, read at 1:30am at Flow Abdoun, 2nd floor ladies room. 

You: "Oh man..thanks a lot Yoke!!"

More features include birthday reminders, customizing your own friend list & other paid features like drawing and my personal favorite, hiding MY last seen!!! Haha.. Got you on this one.

What are you waiting for? Hurry up & download the app.. It's free & available on your iPhone & Android. You'll love it.

What makes it even sexier is the fact that my friend Nour Haj Hasan, a Jordanian female entrepreneur is the owner of the app and has developed it under her company NHH developer inc. Way to go Nour, you deserve the best, seriously! Can't wait to see more of your awesome products.

Just in case you're not sure yet, Yoke messenger is encrypted and all messages sent are deleted off their servers as soon as they are delivered to your friend's phone. In your face Whatsapp & RIM.

See you on Yoke everyone :)

www.yokemessenger.com

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Amman

After going to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Amman yesterday I realized how underestimating we were of our country's potential in designers, talents & event management skills. The event was out of this world. Local & international models floated on the runway in their beautiful Shatha Dabbas dresses, gave us a sharp look in the twisted Nut & Ptah, & definitely blew us away with a more traditional show by Hama Hinnawi and another one by the one & only Hana Sadiq.

Shatha Dabbas 

This picture doesn't do the dress justice to be honest. The other side is a black lace piece. Yes, you heard that right, black see-through lace. Ask Shatha about the dress when you visit the exhibition. She's wonderful!

Hama Hinnawi

I always had a thing for Keffiyeh usage in designs. So original yet stylish. Another red one was on the runway too but that deserves a separate post.

Hana Sadiq

 Yellow is inevitable, the moment that dress made its way onto the runway I started thinking about my coming Henna occasion. Such vibrant colors.

Nut & Ptah

 Where do I start with Nut & Ptah? The mirror corset or the braided one? Let alone the beautiful tails of each dress. Again vibrant yet sexy colors.

I can see real potential in these designers bringing together the trendy yet creative addition to the international fashion scene. Once these designers are noticed, & with our support of course, they will be selling in top department stores. Personally I considered buying many of the items I saw on the runway & in the exhibition. Unique pieces that won't be found in regular stores.

From Martin Grant's Finale 

"J Walking in Style" choice of colors for those pretty tops is incredible. I suggest you hurry up & grab yours since it's not your regular find. I'm going to keep this short. Enjoy the photos everyone. Support local designers and try to get invitation to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Amman. It's very crucial that you do.

Stay tuned, more posts to come!

There's Still Hope!

My new friend Mounir with the cutest smile :)

You know what's funny? I've been watching a lot of documentaries lately, soap operas and shows. One thing I have come to realize. Only human disposes of their new born child. No animal gives up on its baby. But humans do!

Due to the nature of this blog and the positivity I tend to spread. I'm going to look at this from a constructive point of view and just leave all my - wanting to kill all those parents who dump their kids - aside!

Last week I went on Samsung's "Bus of Hope" to the SOS village in Irbid-Jordan. I have to admit it was both a happy experience and a sad one. I was sad to see this huge number of kids without their real parents. With no real support after they turn 18. But I was happy to see that they managed to find their homes at this established village. They have all the facilities they need and most importantly they have a Mother. A lady for every house to take care of the children and provide them with, what I saw a lot more love than what they'd get with their biological parents/ mother.

Lara from the Samsung team getting all comfy with the kids :)

To be honest I was amazed when I saw the SOS village. All these big companies investing in CSR, investing in creating a good life for these kids. Yes, they shouldn't be looked at differently. They deserve to play, have fun and most importantly live a healthy dignified life.

Not fair, photographer cut the half that I was in :(

Of course Samsung's team placed their investment, which was I think equipping the computer lab, then all the employees hurried outside to play with the kids. I swear I could only tell who they were from their white Samsung pullovers, otherwise you couldn't have seen them among all those kids. Face painting, balloon shaping, Muppet show! You name it, it was all there. What's even better, but shhhhh don't tell anyone, was the McDonald's lunch we all had together.

It was truly a day filled with fun and laughter. Soon enough SOS had to tell us to leave because the kids had homework and we were kind of distracting them. So yup, we got on that bus and were on our way back to Amman.

Again just in case you didn't know what's the status of orphans in Jordan please check this short film by my good friend Widad Shafakoj. After all maybe this is a call for all corporations in Jordan to join forces, like Samsung this season and Umniah last Ramadan, to give back to the communities they are part of.

Thank you for joining me and I look forward to reading your comments and replies :)

 

Man, I feel like a Woman!

Last Thursday was one of the most exciting days of my life. You know when they ask you: what would you rather be doing now? Or who would you like to go out to lunch with & why? Better yet imagine your answers coming true! How cool is that?

I had my 1st wish granted & my Thursday morning at Bidaya was cut so I can enjoy a day at The Spa at Four Seasons Amman. Yes sir, I had received an invitation to go & try their heavenly Balinese massage. Oh my, the strokes, the music, the welcoming of the staff right at the door…I have to say it made me feel like a celebrity.

It gets even better, I had the chance to lunch with 3 influential ladies in Amman; Mrs. Shirene Rifai, Editor in Chief of U Magazine which is –AHEM- just the top fashion magazine in Jordan & Middle East, Mrs. Fida Taher Alawieh, CEO & Founder of Zaytouneh, a very simple cooking site that shows you how to cook a meal in 1 minute & Ms. Halla Rafati, Director of PR at Four Seasons Amman. And, may I say, how wonderful it was to lunch with these intelligent women? We tried amazing food, shared shopping experiences, funny travel stories & women empowerment discussions.

This experience was very enlightening. I'm not going to talk about how amazing everything was because it was beyond writing to be honest. It's the feelings I encountered while I went into that massage room -  the aroma, the soft lighting, the smooth music. The minute I laid on that heated bed & the massage started I felt a different awakening to my senses…one that no tweet can describe. I felt a connection with my soul -  the energy was being renewed by a stroke of a finger. The facial later on was just purifying…I have never touched my face the way this expert did. I'm telling you ladies & gentlemen, if you're still reading, this is one experience you'll have to try. One funny thing about it though is that it leaves you starving, for food that is!

At The Spa -My very own heaven.

You guessed that right, Vivace restaurant at Four Seasons Amman was ready for our re-energized selves & hungry tummies. I'll leave you to indulge in the pictures I took before the food was devoured, leaving us to crave at their sight every day.

Shirene Rifai, Chef Juan, Halla Rafati, Fida Taher and Myself

Thank you Chef Juan again, as we say in Arabic "Abda3t"; thank you Halla & everyone from Four Seasons for preparing this whole get together; and, thank you to the lovely ladies who made this experience a wholesome one for me..

Enjoy the pictures…I'm warning you though, they're dangerously enticing and yes, the ingredients go in together.. awakening every taste bud in your mouth.

Mixed green salad, blue cheese dressing and caramelized apples

Tomato Gazpacho, watermelon sorbet and strawberries 

Grilled Sea bass and artichoke ravioli  

Chocolate, cranberries and passion fruit

Let's not forget of course the souvenirs these beautiful people at Four Seasons left in our cars. Thank you for this beautiful gesture. This day will never be forgotten.

My very own custom made bath robe.. They sure know how to make you feel special!

  

Definition of Love ~ By Bob Marley

This is probably the best definition of Love I have ever encountered.. Enjoy;

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.

When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.

There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face.

In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon.

You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” 

http://youtu.be/sonYFxHHvaM

O Beach? nO Thanks!

      Hello everyone, it's me again! Yes, the storyteller, the reviewer and might I say this time: The Adviser! As I wouldn't want this experience happening to anyone so here goes. I went to O Beach last weekend with some friends so we could spend a good time and enjoy the final days of the summer. The memories I have of O Beach from the past year were beautiful. Hosts dressed in white welcoming you to what might be your perfect getaway from the real world. Anyways, we were welcomed by men who made a fuss about our gift vouchers and seemed very unwelcoming. We did manage to get through expecting the resort to be full, I mean why would they make that big of a deal if it weren't, right? It was EMPTY.. OK except for the one couple in the VIP area and six other people in the main area. Seriously? How are you running a business O Beach? How are you benefiting the facilities?

      I'm a positive person, or so I would like to believe, so we took advantage of that whole area being ours for the day and prepared our tanning beds. As we stepped into the pool this rave started, the DJ decided that we were supposed to dance hysterically by 11AM.. Have you heard of chill out music buddy? I don't think so! Again we were OK with it and went into the water and to the pool bar so we'd order some juices. I personally ordered a pineapple smoothie which I can assure you was expired. As I'm writing this I really feel sorry, this was supposed to be one of the touristic attractions of the Dead Sea and look what they have done with it. The restaurant doesn't have a menu nor billing system, tables are dirty.. But, what topped it all was two couples who entered at around 5pm along with a family with kids; clearly they hadn't paid and were there to spend an hour. I'm not against wanting to spend an hour or so but what is this?
        Again my dearest friends, if you're planning on spending money at the Dead Sea don't do O Beach.. check out Marriott Dead Sea or Moevenpick you'll have a good time worth the money you paid. As for you Mr. X behind O Beach management, you better get your act together and fix this place up. I'm still hoping next summer it'll be better..

Stars Come To Find Their Own Light

I've always considered myself a talented girl, or so I'd like to think! I used to play the piano, not professionally but according to what I would hear. Choreographed some dances for the school team, again according to stuff I used to see on TV and so on with bits & pieces of appearing on JTV :)

I never really got the chance to be trained professionally by international or even local artists. I would've loved that! That's why when @LaraHadi invited me to this STARDUST Academy show I was super excited and didn't know what to expect.

As soon as I reached the Montessori school - Amman I got in to make sure I don't miss the show. It felt really good to see all those talents dancing, singing and performing "CATS" for that matter. It was all funny, artistic and just purely entertaining. What's more important is that those performers were having fun, you could actually see them smiling and just having a good time.

To my luck Lara told me anyone could sign up so "Hurrrraaaaay" I'm heading back to school to dance and perform. I hope I still have the flexibility I had when I was actually IN school.

I advice everyone to check it out, if you have a talent or know someone who does, this could be their "Big Break" . Just fill in this registration form and get your dancing shoes/ vocal cords/ acting skills ready.

Thank you for inviting us Stardust Academy team. You were all amazing

For more on what they do check out this video.. Phenomenal!